Steam-heating apparatus.



J. L. FITTS. STEAK HEATING APPARATUS. unnunol nun 11511.12, 1910.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

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J. L. PITTS. K STEAM HEATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1910.

J. L. FITTS. STEAK HEATING APPARATUS. rumanos Hum un. 12. 1910.

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.lllll m., wl 2 A TTORNE Y UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEroE.

JAMES LOGAN FITTS, 0F MERCHANTVILLE, .NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 WARREN WEBSTER & COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

STEAM-HEATIN G APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patentcdpec. 2, 1913.

Application filed March 12, 1910` Serial No. 548,802.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES LOGAN Frrrs, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Merchantville, in the county of Camden and State ofNew Jersey, have invented an Improvement in Steam-Heating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to steam heating apparatus, and consists of certain 1mprovements which are fully set forth 1n the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof.

The object of my invention isto provide suitable means for governing or regulating the extent of the vacuum in the return pipe of a heating system irrespective of the eX- tent of partial vacuum in the piping adjacent to the vacuum creating device or pump, whereby a greater vacuum than that required for the heating system may be maintained in the system,and the extent of vacuum necessary for the radiators or heating units may be provided and maintained constant irrespective of variations in the operations of the said radiators or heating units.

My object is also to provide the said governing means with cooperating devices which may maintain a constant degree of lesser vacuum on the return pipe leading from the radiators than in the return pipe connecting with the vacuum creating means, while at the same time intermittently acting toremove the Water of condensation passing through the return pipe and delivering it to the vacuum pump without affecting the continuity of the maintenance of the lesser vacuum; by reason of Which operation the extent of lesser vacuum in the return pipe may be substantially constant, Whereas the Water of condensation collecting therein may be intermittently or irregularlyl removed around the means for maintaining the constant vacuum and without interfer ing with its action.

My invention comprehends certain features of construction arranged in a return system of piping leading from the radiators or heating coils and connecting with the vacuum pump and comprising a regulating device for controlling the flow of air, vapor and Water in the said return system of piping, said device providing a common chamber into which the air, vapor and water are received and having two outlets arranged at different levels, combined with automa-tic valve devices for causing vthe discharge of water through the lower opening while maintaining 1t normally closed against the passage of air, and an automatic governor device for controlling the passage of air through the upper outlet, whereby a predetermined constant lower vacuum may be maintained Within the chamber and the rcturn pipe of the heating system leading to the radiators than is maintained in the return pipe connection betweenthe lower out-- let and the vacuum creating device of the heating system. v My invention consists further in the devices described hereinafter, and more particularly defined in the claims.

- Referring to the drawings: Figure l is a plan view of the governor device embodying my improvements; Fig. 2 is a Vvertical longitudinal section thereof on line Fig. 3 is a cross Vsectional elevation thereof on line g/-g and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic elcvation illustrating a heating system with my improvements supplied thereto.

Referring to Fig. 4, 2 is a steam supply pipe leading from any suitable source and delivering ste-am to the radiators R under the control of suitable hand or other valves 2b. The supply of steam may be controlled by an automatic reducing valve 2a arranged in the supply pipe 2, and said reducing valve may be of any suitable construction. By its employment steam may be supplied to the radiators under constant pressure no matter what the greater pressure may be at the source of steam supply. 3 is the return pipe from any radiators or heating' units, and is connected with the said radiators R by suitable branches,` preferably provided with automatic valves 4 which may be of any well known construction adapted to permit the passage of Water and air, but restrict or prevent the passage of steam. The lower end of the return pipe 3 discharges into the governor device 5 and the discharge from thek governor device enters a ret-urn pipe 3a connecting with the suction of the vacuum pump P. The governor dcing the governor with the vacuum pumpQ A similar heating unit system may be c011- nected with a branch 3b leading from thepipc 3a and thereby'` controlling a second ieating unit in a different-partof the same building or in a different building, as may be required.

The governor device or mechanism 5 is clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and3. v 6 represents a receiver chamber which is in communication with the return pipe 3 by an inlet 7 at its upper part. This chamber 6 is also in communication with an outlet 8 which connects with the high vacuum return pipe 3a. The outlet 8 is extended within the chamber in the form of a vertical passage 10, from which a valve chamber 9 close to the bottom of the chamber 6 and a valve chamber 11 at a considerably higher eleva- A tion, open laterally, the valve chamber 11 being above the level at which the water of condensation collects. These valve chambers 9 and 11 may be made detachable from the Wall of the passage 10. The valve chamber 9 is fitted with a valve 12, preferably balanced, and this is operated by a lever 13 hinged at 14 to the upper end of a link 15 and having at its other or free end a ioat 16. The link 15 is hinged to the valve chamber. As the water of condensation accumulates within the chamber 6, the ioat 16 rises, as indicated in dotted lines, and this lifts the valve 12 to allow the escape of water from the chamber 6 into the outlet 8, but .l at no time breaking the water seal. Whenever the water is drawn olf to a level, which is somewhat above the valve chamber 9, the valve seats itself therein and prevents the unsealing of the chamber 6. This mechanism operates as an air trap, as it permits the escape of water in an intermittent manner while restricting the passage of air. The upper valve chamber 11 is provided with a valve 17, preferably balanced, for controlling the air and any vapor which might be contained in the upper partof the chamber 6. The valve 17 is connected to the bc/om of a rod 18, the upper portion/of which is screwed into a head 19 fastened in the center of a diaphragm 2O which is'arranged over a. circular opening 21 in the upper part of the' chamber 6. A perforated cap 22 may extend over the diaphragm to protect it, while permitting the action of the atmospheric pressure thereon. The` perimeter of the diphragm 20 is clamped by means of the outer flange of the. cap 22, which is bolted down upon the top of the chamber 6. This diaphragm 20 may be of leather, rubber, 65

chamber 6, and provided on the outside with I a stufling box 26-through which the rock shaft 24 extends. The inner end of the rock shaft is secured to an arm 23, the free end of which extends through a slotted opening in the head 19. The outer end of the rock shaft 24 is secured to a cross bar 27 which carries on its free ends the adjustable weights 28 and 29. By means of thesel Weights 28 and 29 proper adjustmentmay be had to insure the diaphragm 20 raising the valve 17 whenever the extent of vacuum within the chamber 6 becomes lower than that which is predetermined, in which case the higher vacuum in the return pipe 3 and in the passage 10 is made to exert its v influence upon the contents of the chamber 6 so as to automatically raise the extent-of vacuum, and thereby lunder such action maintain it at a predetermined normal constant condition.

The operation of theapparatus will now be understood. The steam, being supplied to the radiators under constant pressure, it is evident that if the air and water from the radiators are drawn off under constant partial vacuum, the condition within the radiators will be such that'the temperature' therein may be regulated by simply controlling the amount of opening in the valves 2b. The vacuum in the return pipe 3a being` greater or in excess of that which is require in the return pipe 3, it is evident that there is a constant source of greater vacuum which may be utilized to maintain the lesser vacuum constant should, from any cause, the said lesser vacuum become slightly lower than that which is predetermined'. The amount .of this lesser vacuum is governed by the adjustment of the counter-weights 28 and 29 on the lever 27, and it is therefore within the power of the engineer to so adjust the ap aratus that, no matter what the extent of) greater vacuum may be, the extent. of vacuum in the returnpipe 3 may be maintained substantially constant and cause vthe f radiators to be operated under a constantl differential in pressure between the supply and return sides of the system. By arranging the valve device 11 and 17 at a level which is above the normal water level in the chamber 6, there .will bev a constantly free governor diaphragm 20 and its valve 17 no matter how much water of condensation may flow into the chamber 6 and irrespective of the intermittent action of the valve 12 for controlling the escape of the said Water into the higher vacuum return pipe 3a leading from the ch `ber 7 to the pump passage for the air under the control of the k nism for controlling the escape of water and air ,from the return pipe 3 is such, that the said air and water are delivered within the chamber 6 and the air drawn off at a high level, while the water is drawn oif at a low level; and moreover is such, that the regulat-ing operation of the air valve may be practically continuous for maintaining the constant partial lesser vacuum in the chamber 6 and return pipe 3, whereas the operation of the Water valve 12 may be intermittent and at such intervals as may be required by the amount of water of condensation passing int-o the receiver chamber. By these means,I the water of condensation does not require abnormal opening of the air valve 17, as would be the case if only a single valve was employed through which both the Water and air were required to pass. Furthermore, by operatingthe two valves under different regulating conditions, it is evident that the water may be removed as rapidly as it accumulates without interfering with the regularity or continuity of the action which maintains a substantially constant lesser vacuum in the return pipe 3, notwithstanding that both the withdrawal of the water from the receiver as well as the air, is performed by one and the same apparatus, namely, the higher vacuum return main 3a and the vacuum creating pump P. It is evident that as many independent heating units as desired may be supplied from the same source of steam, and separate return pipes may be connected with t-he higher i vacuum main 3a through independent governing devices or mechanism 5, the branch 3b in Fig. 4 indicating one of the connections for receiving such an additional return sys- `tem from another heating'unit than that shown. It is immaterial how many heating units may be operated from lthe same source of higher vacuum.

In cases where the heating units arelocated at a great distance from the source of vacuum, it is practically impossible commercially, to operate the said heating units separately because of the tenden'cy to flash the water of condensation into steam vapor under the high vacuum required, while -the said water is in heated condition and the destruction of the vacuum in the return pipe, but by employing a high vacuum main whichwould be substantially cold, and providing a governing device adyacent to the heating unit and in the basement of the building in which the water of condensation may be received and somewhat cooled before passing into the high vacuum main, it is .evident that theV said water may be handled without material interference with the proper circulation of the heating iuid and without danger of transforming the water of condensation into steam vapor within the returnv pipes of the heating system.'

While, in the preferred form of my invent'ion, the diaphragm-20 forms part of theinclosing wall of the receiver, yet such arrangement is not essential, as it is obvious that the said diaphragm may be arranged se arate and apart from the receiver.

have shown my apparatus in the form which I ,preferto employ, but I do not restrict myself to the particular details thereof, as these may be varied in many ways, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a steam heating system, the combination of a return pipe of low vacuum, a return pipe of high vacuum, and a governing mechanism between the return pipe of low vacuum and return pipe of high vacuum comprising a closed chamber for receiving the air and Water of condensation from the return pipe of low vacuum, a valved com- 'munication between the low and high vacuum return pipes arranged Within the chamber at a point above where the -water of condensation collects and acting as the sole means for the escape of the air from the chamber, means operated by the low vacuum in the chamber for controlling the valved communication, and separate means controlled by a float substantially independent of the vacuum conditions for delivering ythe water of condensation received in the chamber from thel low vacuum return into the high' vacuum return.

2. In a steam heating system, the combination of a return pipe of low vacuum, a return pipe of high vacuum, and a governing mechanism between the returnk pipe of low vacuum and return pipe of high vacuum comprising a low vacuum chamber for receiving the air and water of condensation from` theJ return pipe of low vacuum, a valved communication Within the chamber from the upper part of the chamber to the high vacuum return pipe and acting as the sole means for the escape of air from the chamber, means operated by the low vacuum in the chamber for vcontrolling the valved communication, and separate means controlled by a float substantially independent of the vacuum conditions and at a low elevation within the chamber for delivering the water of condensation received from the low vacuum return into the high vacuum return. l

3. In a steam heating apparatus, a low vacuum return pipe, and a high vacuum return pipe, combined with a governing device comprising a low vacuum chamber contently controlling the discharge of water of condensation from within the low vacuum chamber into the high vacuum return pipe, a valve for controlling the passage ot air from the low vacuum chamber through the upper valve chamber into the high vacuum return pipe subjectedcontinually to a dif-- ference in pressure on the two sides, and a pressure motor device separate from the upper valve for controlling the said upper valve operated by variations in the pressure existing in the low vacuum chamber and maintaming the pressure in the chamber slightly higher than that in the return pipe.

4.1n a steam heatine' a paratus, a low vacuum return pipe, and a igh vacuum return pipe, com med with a governing device comprising a low vacuum chamber connecting with'' the low vacuum return pipe andl having two valve chambers at dierent elevations in: communication with the high vacuum return pipe each subjected to a continual differential in pressure on its opposite sides, a float actuated valve for the lower valve chamber for intermittently controlling the discharge of water of condensation from within the low vacuum chamber into the high vacuum return pipe, a valve -for cont-rolling the passage of a1r from the low vacuum chamber through the upper valve chamber into the high vacuum return pipe subjected continually to a difference in pressure on its two sides, a pressure motor device forv controlling the said upper valve operated by variations in the pressure. existing in the low vacuum chamber to maintain the difference in pressure o-n the tWo sides of the valve, and adjusting devices yextending to the outside of the low vacuumchamber for adjusting the operation of' the pressure motor device for regulating the extent of lower vacuum to be maintained in the low vacuum chamber' and return pipe.

5. In a steam heating apparatus, a. low vacuum return pipe and a high vacuum return pipe, combined with a governing device comprising a low vacuum chamber connecting with the low vacuum return pipe and provided with two valve chambers at different elevations in communication with the high vacuum return pipe, a oat actuated valve for the lower chamber for intcrmittently controlling the discharge of water of condensation from within the low vacuum chamber into the high vacuum return pipe, a valve acting as the sole means for eontrolling the passage of air from the low vacuum chamber thro-ugh the `upper valve chamber into'the high vacuum return pipe,

and a pressure motor device immediately associated with the low vacuum` chamber for controlling the said upper valve. con? sisting of a diaphragm connected to the valve and influenced bythe extent of partial vacuum within the low vacuum chamber to close the air valve, and adjustable counter-balancing devices for regulating the action of the partial vacuum upon the diaphragm, whereby the degree of lower vacuum in the return may be adjusted.

6. In a steam heating apparatus, a low vacuum return pipe and a high vacuum return pipe, combined ,with a governing device comprising a low Vacuum chamber connecting with the low vacuum return, pipe and provided with two valve chambers at different elevations incommunication with the high vacuum ret-urn pipe, a float actu; ated valve for the lower valve chamber for intermittently'controlling the discharge of water of condensation from within the low vacuum chamber into the high vacuum rcturn pipe, a valve acting as the sole means for controlling the passage of air from the low vacuum chamber through the upper valve chamber, and a ressure motor device immediately associate with the low vacuum chamber for controlling the said upper valve operated by variations in the pressure existing in the low vacuum chamber consisti-ng .of a diaphragm connected to the valve to close it and adjustable counterbalancing devices for regulating the action of the partial vacuum upon the diaphragm to at all times tend to open the valve whereby the degree of lower vacuum in the low vacuum chamber and low vacuum return let passage, automatic means for operating the said valve device under the control of the pressure within the chamber and the inpipe may be adjusted, said devices extendlet port thereof and independent of the ac'- cumulations of water therein, said means comprising positively acting mechanical devices to open the valve and vacuum operated devices constituting a part `of the wall of the low vacuum chamber and operating under the low vacuum in the chamber for closing the valve in opposition to the action of the mechanical devices, a valve device for controlling communication rfrom the lower part of the chamber with the outlet passage` for regulating the discharge of the Water ing said communication sealed against the of condensation which may collect Within escape of air.

. thechamber, and means operated by the ac- In testimony of which invention, I herecumulations of Water of condensation for unto set my hand.

5 operating the last mentioned valve device JAMES LOGAN FITTS. to permit the escape of the Water of con- Witnesses: densation Jfrom the lower part of thev cliam- WILLIAM H. SNYDER, ber into the outlet passage while maintain- WALTERA. REYNO. 

